Against the backdrop of concerns about increasing environmental cases committed by industries, EGSA (Environmental Geography Student Association) held a national seminar entitled Industry's Role in Managing Sustainable Environment. The event was held on Saturday, 8 January 2011, at Faculty of Geography UGM.
EGSA Chairman said that the national seminar is one of series of events of EGSA FAIR 2011. Other events are talkshow and poster and photograph expo. The talkshow was held on Thursday, 6 January 2011, under the theme When Industry is Not Responsible, the Future of Environment is Questionable. The poster and photograph expo was held for three days from 6 to 8 January 2011.
The national seminar presented some industrial and environmental experts and practitioners such as Prof. Sudarmadji, M.Eng.,Sc. (professor of Faculty of Geography), Prof. Indra Bastian, Ph.D.,M.B.A., Akt. (lecturer of Faculty of Economics and environmental economic expert), Ir. Tri Reni Budiharti (Head of Green Environment Industry Section, Ministry of Industry) and Anton Sri Probiantono (MM UNEP).
In general, the four speakers delivered the importance of improvement and serious responsibility of industries in managing the environment. Industries which play strategic role in development actually contribute in pollution and, if not followed by good environmental management, will hamper and decrease development’s results.
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program became one of important issues that are given attention by the speakers. CSR emphasizes the importance of sustainability of environment for sustainability of industrial development. Industries are very influenced by environment/nature. Meanwhile, CSR also functions to improve public trust on industrial products which eventually can give profit for both the community and industries.